Robert Davi

Davi was born in Astoria, Queens, New York, the son of Maria (née Rulli) and Sal Davi.[2] His mother was an Italian American whose family came from Nusco, Avellino, Campania and his father was from Torretta, Palermo, Sicily.[6]

Davi spoke Italian during his childhood.[2] He attended Seton Hall, a Roman Catholic high school in Patchogue, New York.[2] He has two sisters, Yvonne Davi (deceased), and Mrs. Michelle Queal. He graduated from Hofstra University, which he attended due to that university's strong drama department as well as its unique reproduction of Shakespeare's Globe Theater.[7] Davi also studied with legendary acting coach Stella Adler when he moved to Manhattan.[8]

In high school, Davi was praised for his singing, and auditioned for the Metropolitan Opera after being awarded first place at the prestigious New York State School Music Association's Solo Competition, where he sang Vincent Youman's "Without A Song". He subsequently received classical training with top vocal teachers, Samuel Margolis and Danial Ferro of Juilliard and Tito Gobbi. Davi damaged his voice, and later explained that he was a baritone with the "heart of a tenor and had pushed too hard, too early."[15]

Davi began to focus again on singing in 2011, and worked with "Voice Builder" Gary Catona as he prepared to record his first album.[16]

With a thirty-piece orchestra, he recorded the album at the legendary Capitol Records Building in Hollywood, where Frank Sinatra recorded on many occasions.[17]

The album, which featured new arrangements by composer Nic. tenBroek, was produced by Phil Ramone, engineered by Dan Wallin, and mixed by the legendary Al Schmitt. The album, Davi Sings Sinatra -- On The Road To Romance, was released October 24, 2011, and received significant attention from the media, garnering positive reviews.[18] Jazztimes called Davi Sings Sinatra "uniformly impressive",[19] and critic Don Heckman wrote in the Orange County Register that "there are, of course, dozens of Sinatra imitators and simulators. But what Davi does is a whole different matter. A tribute? Yes, indeed; all that and more."[20] AllMusic noted that "Davi makes no attempt to copy Sinatra's vocal sound ... Rather, he is his own singer."[21] The album reached the Top 10 on the Billboard jazz charts.[22]

Quincy Jones said: "I have never heard anyone come this close to Sinatra's sound – and still be himself. Many try, but Robert Davi has the voice, tone, the flavor and the swagger."[23]

In December 2012, Davi appeared along with Roger Cicero in the French/German Arte TV program Durch die Nacht mit … The episode was shot in the Little Italy area of New York City and featured conversation between Cicero and Davi and solos of Sinatra standards by both performers. In December 2013, Davi released a Christmas single, "Mistletoe and Holly", with all proceeds benefiting The Salvation Army.[16]

Davi has lent his voice to political ads, including Carly Fiorina's "Demon Sheep" attack ad, "Hot Air: The Movie", and others produced by Republican media consultant Fred Davis.[24]

Robert Davi was chosen by the United Nations to celebrate the Transformative Power of Music at the General Assembly in New York, in June 2015 - and again for the 70 Anniversary Celebration of the UN in September, 2015.[25]

Davi was chosen to tribute SINATRA's 100th birthday for the July 4th PBS SPECIAL; it was watched by 500,000 people outside the Capitol Building in DC and 15 million viewers.[25]

Davi was also the guest singer on the Italian version of TV program "The Voice".[25]

Davi is a devout Roman Catholic.

He is an outspoken political conservative, often speaking at Republican Party gatherings.[26] He has been invited to comment on numerous political shows and backed John McCain during his presidential campaign. He narrated several film montages that aired during the 2008 Republican National Convention.[27][28] Davi has spoken at numerous Conservative Political Action Conferences in Washington, D.C. He was a frequent guest on Fox News's late-night satire program Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld.[29] Davi endorsed Donald Trump in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, and again in 2020.[30]

For his notable contributions to the Italian community, Davi was enshrined in Toronto's Italian Walk of Fame in 2013.[31]

Wikiquote has quotations related to: Robert Davi

• Davi Sings Sinatra
• Robert Davi at IMDb